r troubles, Belle took to bed when
Laramie was moved to the hotel and Kate turned in to nurse her.

"You won't starve while she stays, Belle," declared Carpy, leaving Kate
in possession at the cottage, "and while I think of it," he added,
turning to Kate, "Laramie says he wants to see you. You call him up on
the telephone, will you?"

"What for, doctor?"

"To oblige me, girl. I want to hold that fellow in his room a few days
more and keep his arm in a sling. He's no easier to handle than a
wildcat."

Kate looked perplexed: "What shall I say to him?"

Carpy stood at the door with his hand on the knob: "Jolly him
along--you know how. He says he's coming down here for dinner tonight.
Tell him Belle's sick."

Belle listened. The more Kate considered the mandate, the more
confusing it seemed. But she rang up the hotel, called for Laramie and
heard presently a man's voice in answer.

"Is this Mr. Laramie?" she asked.

"It is not," was the answer.

"Isn't he there?"

"No."

"Can you tell me when he will be in?"

"He won't be in."

She sighed with impatience: "I want to speak to him. And I think this
is he speaking. You know very well who I am," she persisted.

"I do."

"And I know very well who you are."

"In that you may be mistaken."

"Surely I'm not mistaken in believing Mr. Laramie a gentleman."

"But you are mistaken in believing any person by that name here."

"There is a person there who loves to persecute me, isn't there?"

"There is not."

"Is there one there that likes to have his own way?"

"No more than you like to have your own way."

"Is there a man named Jim there?"

"Speaking, Kate."

"I've a message from Belle."

"What is the message?"

"She is in bed with a cold and fever and wants you not to come tonight.
As soon as she is up she will let you know."

Belle held her peace till Kate left the telephone. "I can't make
Doctor Carpy out," she grumbled. "If he didn't want Jim Laramie to
come down here what did he ask _you_ to call him up for? If he doesn't
know any more than that about doctoring," she added, contemptuously,
"I'd hate to take his medicine."

She waited for Kate's comment but Kate possessed the great art of
saying nothing. "I guess," continued Belle, at length, "it's time to
take that pill he left, but I guess I won't take it. What do you think
about it?" she asked, referring again to Carpy.

Kate was not to be drawn out: "I found out a long time